What may seem as defiance or acting out can sometimes be the anxiety created by sensory issues. Next time your child is “acting out” think about what may be triggering this behavior.
“Anxiety manifests in a surprising variety of ways in part because it is based on a physiological response to a threat in the environment, a response that maximizes the body’s ability to either face danger or escape danger.
“So while some children exhibit anxiety by shrinking from situations or objects that trigger fears, some react with overwhelming need to break out of an uncomfortable situation. That behavior, which can be unmanageable, is often misread as anger or opposition.” – Caroline Miller, Child Mind Institute
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CLICK HERE: How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior: Kids who seem oppositional are often severely anxious
Recommended Reading
- 9 Things Every Parent with an Anxious Child Should Try
- Give Your ADHD Child a Sensory Break
- Teaching Emotion Regulation Skills to Sensory Kids
- Getting Ready for School with Sensory Processing Disorder
To read more about parenting a child with anxiety:
Freeing Your Child from Anxiety, Revised and Updated Edition: Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries, and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life–from Toddlers to Teens
Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Child’s Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing AdolescenceAnxiety Relief for Kids: On-the-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and AvoidanceThe Essential Guide to Raising Complex Kids with ADHD, Anxiety, and More: What Parents and Teachers Really Need to Know to Empower Complicated Kids with Confidence and Calm
Photo Credit / Modified
I wish I had seen this earlier in my daughter’s life. It totally explains who she is and is so helpful.
This sounds so much like my 14 year old
it’d be nice if you updated your website. Your contact doesn’t work, nor do most of the links for your products
Actually, I clearly list on my contacts page that if you’re a parent to please use my Facebook link.